Using CARISTA to enable the 4Runner’s Hidden Features

Personalize the behavior of your 4Runner with CARISTA

One of the huge selling points that drew me to the 4Runner was its ability to have a rear window that rolls down. With the twist of a key, I can open and close the rear window from outside the vehicle. I just wish the other windows had the same ability.

After checking the manual, I found that they can!

The Toyota 4Runner Manual lists a variety of customizable features that you can change, however says, “Programming these preferences requires specialized equipment and may be performed by your Toyota dealer.”

Sounds easier said than done, sometimes it’s hard to find time with a busy schedule to visit the dealer, and wait for them adjust a few personal settings.

During a warranty-covered oil change, I asked if they could adjust a few features while it was there. I was told I would have to book a separate time because the only one tech that performs these tasks was unavailable.

Some Toyota 4Runner owners mentioned that some dealerships charged a labor fee for adjusting these customizations, while some were able to get theirs done for free.

All of this research led me to this amazing little product, Carista, that not only lets me change those features around my own schedule, but does so much more.

The Carista app also has the ability to run diagnostic tests on your vehicle, allowing you to find out which fault codes are trigging a “Check Engine” light, as well as their meanings. Though the app you can reset, clear codes, and perform dealer-level electronic diagnostics of all modules in the vehicle.

The Carista OBD2 Module also supports third-party apps such as OBD Fusion, Dash Command, or Torque.

Price

STEP 1. DOWNLOAD

Download Carista on the app on the App Store (Apple) or get it on Google Play (Android)

STEP 2. PLUG IN

Carista works by plugging in the module into the vehicle’s OBD2 connector port, usually located in the driver’s footwell area. Locate the port, and plug your adaptor in.

STEP 3. CONNECT

Connect to your device via your phone’s bluetooth

STEP 4. REDEEM YOUR FREE TRIAL

The app should prompt you, that if you would like unlock the apps full capabilities, you will need to pay for their subscription. To redeem the Free 1-Month Trial you will be presented with a purchase option. Select the one with the Free Trial to unlock all the functions of the app. (During the 1-Month Trial, or after making your customizations, you can cancel your subscription)

STEP 5. CUSTOMIZE OR CHECK FAULTS

The CARISTA home screen gives you three service options to choose from, tap ‘CUSTOMIZE’ to begin changing the personal preferences of your vehicle.

Example: From here on the vast customizable preferences are yours. One main feature I wanted to add to my vehicle was the option to roll all my windows down, from just the click of my remote. Making the adjustment was as simple as scrolling through the list of features, selecting ‘Open windows and sunroof via long-press on remote – OFF’ and toggling it from OFF to ON. Click ‘SAVE’ and you’re done!

4Runner Customizable features

Below is a list of all the Customizable features for the 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner (defaults)

Doors / Windows / Remote

Wireless Door Locking – Enabled

Blink Turn Signals When Locking/Unlocking with Remote – YES

Beep When Locking/Unlocking with Remote – Yes

The volume of Beep When Locking/Unlocking with Remote – MAX

Beep when Opening/Closing Windows with Remote – YES

Warn (Beep) When Door Can’t Be Locked Because It’s Still Open – YES

Panic Function on Remote – ENABLED

Re-Lock doors automatically if you unlock, but don’t open a door – YES

Re-lock doors automatically if you unlock, but don’t open a door within… – 60 Seconds

Auto-lock doors when moving – OFF

Lock doors when shifting into gear – ON

Unlock doors when shifting into park (P) – ON

Unlock all doors when driver’s door is opened – OFF

Close rear hatch window by turning and holding key in door lock – YES

Open rear hatch window by turning and holding key in door lock – YES

Open windows and sunroof by turning and holding key in door lock – OFF

Close windows and sunroof by turning and holding key in door lock – OFF

Open windows and sunroof via long-press on remote – OFF

Close passenger’s window using a single button press -YES

Rear-left window single-touch-close – YES

Rear-right window single-touch-close – YES

Passenger window single-touch-close from driver’s switch -YES

Rear-left window single-touch-close from driver’s switch – YES

Rear-right window single-touch-close from driver’s switch – YES

Rear hatch window auto-close – YES

Rear hatch window auto-open – YES

Rear hatch window open/close delay – 0.8 SECONDS

Instrument Display / Dings

Seat belt warning ding (driver) – ENABLED

Seat belt warning ding (front passenger) -ENABLED

ECO Drive indicator zone – ON

Interior/ Exterior Lights

Coming-home lights duration – 30 SECONDS

Auto headlights activation threshold – NORMAL

Instrument lights dimming sensitivity – NORMAL

Instruments restoring sensitivity – NORMAL

Dim interior lights after… – 15 SECONDS

Turn on interior lights when you shut off engine – YES

Turn on interior lights when you unlock doors – YES

Interior footlight (brighten doors open, dim when driving) – YES

Turn on interior door-handle & center console lights dimly (flood lights) when ignition is on and shifter is not in park (P) – YES

Other Features

Final Thoughts

Carista has given me the ability to change all the extra customizable features to my liking, and more. I found the device very affordable, and gave me the freedom of customizing the features I wanted, without booking an appointment at the dealership.

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So glad you posted this! Was told I had to return to my dealer where I purchased to customize the remote settings and beep volume. Just ordered one!

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August 30, 2018 5:36 pm

Author

Frank Rebelo

Thanks, James! Glad to hear that this was able to help you out!

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August 31, 2018 7:04 pm

Guest

Paolo

Is there a way to unlock all doors with single push of the unlock button?

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September 20, 2018 3:16 am

Author

Frank Rebelo

There is not. All the customizable features are listed above.

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September 20, 2018 8:23 pm

Guest

Paolo

What does this one means?

“Unlock all doors when driver’s door is opened”

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September 20, 2018 9:32 pm

Author

Frank Rebelo

Lock doors when shifting into gear – ON Unlock doors when shifting into park (P) – ON Unlock all doors when driver’s door is opened – OFF

So, if you are parked, and you open your door, the driver’s door. The other doors will unlock all as well.

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September 25, 2018 8:12 pm

Guest

Paolo

Gotcha. Well it never hurts to press the unlock button twice, more exercise for the thumb. =)

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September 26, 2018 12:24 am

Guest

Andrew

Thank you for this! Fixed so many of the little things I had wished I could change easily. Windows down with key fob and increasing the rear window wiper intermittent time made my day. Plus I already had a WiFi OBDII device and the Carista app worked with it. No need to buy the Carista OBDII device.

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November 20, 2018 3:40 am

Guest

Craig

For whatever reason my 2016 4Runner Trail would not let me turn off the Eco light even though there was an option and I opted to turn it off. Tried toggling multiple time but no luck. Unfortunately that was the one thing I really wanted to turn off.

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January 23, 2019 12:35 pm

Author

Frank Rebelo

You can turn this off in your car’s settings. Make sure you are parked or stopped to access the menu. Hit the DISP button on the right side under the phone controls. Keep scrolling until you see the SETTINGS menu, then find “Eco Light” and turn it off…

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January 23, 2019 2:34 pm

Guest

Ralph

Coming-home lights duration – 30 SECONDS… is this when you disarm via remote? If not is there an option to do this. I’d like the courtesy lights to be on for my wife when she goes to the runner at night

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January 30, 2019 3:10 pm

Author

Frank Rebelo

Hey Ralph, I am pretty positive that the “Coming-Home Lights” are for your headlights. After using the headlights at night, they will remain on for the specified time after the vehicle is turned off. The courtesy lights I wired up to come on with the dome light, triggered by the key fob when I unlock or open a door of my vehicle.

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January 30, 2019 3:54 pm

Guest

Ralph

Ah I see. I guess I’ll have to dig a little deeper on how to keep them on until starting up the car

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January 30, 2019 4:07 pm

Author

Frank Rebelo

Oops, I forgot to add this to my previous reply. The courtesy lights I mentioned were done in a separate article here: https://trail4runner.com/2018/11/10/rock-lights-as-courtesy-lights/ I was attemping to solve that similar situation as well, I wanted exterior lights to come on when I approached the vehicle at night. Hope that helps a little more…

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January 30, 2019 4:20 pm

Guest

Ralph

I was looking at that but I’m trying to stay away from adding more lights hahah. I’ll keep digging. Thank you

JOIN THE COMMUNITY - FREE GEAR AND UPDATES

Join the 5th Gen 4Runner community and get access to new gear, specials, free stickers, free decals, step by step installs and much more.
Get access to manufacturer discounts, sales, coupon codes and so much more.

TRAIL 4RUNNER IS HIRING

GET PAID FOR WRITING A PRODUCT REVIEW OR STEP BUY STEP 4RUNNER INSTALL